A malachite urn in Lightner Museum will be one of the items featured on Jan. 2 during a Curator's Tour of the museum.

Lightner Museum Curator Barry Myers will be giving monthly tours of the special treasures in the museum, 75 King St., in downtown St. Augustine.

The curator tours will begin at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month and will offer guests an intimate encounter with a select few of the Lightner’s eclectic relics.

An opportunity to meet the curator along with an interactive tour will give local residents and tourists alike an opportunity to learn the history of the building and to explore more deeply into the Museum’s collection.

This month’s tour is inspired by the movie “Anna Karenina” and will feature objects from Imperial Russia including Russian Imperial Porcelain Urns located in the ballroom and the Lightner Museum’s iconic malachite urn.

“The museum’s pieces are already exceptional but become more intriguing once you know the stories behind them,” Myers said.

Examples of items to be featured include the Grandfather Clock that greets visitors as they enter from the lobby, Winston Churchill’s Lion in the Science Room, the Russian Baths on the second floor, an in depth look into the cut glass collection as well as the Grande Escritoire desk, which is located in the ballroom. All of these come to life through the knowledge and expertise of the curator.

“The Lightner Museum contains many acquisitions that need to be manipulated in some way to be fully appreciated. For example, our Grand Escritoire desk takes on new meaning once its 200 compartments are revealed,” said Robert Harper, Lightner Museum Director.

Tours are included in the price of admission and will begin on the second floor of the museum. Tours will be tailored to those participating and will be changed based on current events and new features in the museum, creating a unique experience each time.

Tours are included in the price of admission and will begin on the second floor of the museum. Donations are appreciated and will be accepted after the tour. The Lightner Museum is a non-profit cultural institution sustained by the generous support of individuals, businesses and sponsors.